Our first target is to reach semifinal: Hathurusingha

Dhaka, 6 Oct -Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes his side can realistically give themselves a shot to the semifinal of the World Cup if they win four or five matches.

The Tigers have never won more than three matches in the cricket's biggest 
extravaganza but this time the goal is bigger given Bangladesh's reputation 
in ODI format.

"We all want to win the World Cup but if you rightly ask me realistically --- 
if we win 4-5 games, we give ourselves a chance to get into the semifinal of 
the knockout stage - that's our first aim," Hathurusingha said during the 
pre-match conference today at Dharamshala.

Bangladesh will open their World Cup with a match against Afghanistan 
Saturday. 

Even some days ago, the Bangladesh coach warned that people should wake up if 
they are dreaming that Bangladesh would win the World Cup.

When asked, he reminded that the team has its own goal regardless of what 
people dreamed of.

"People can dream, people can aim, people can have goals. Whatever the word 
you use, it is the same thing. We're trying to have a good World Cup and win 
matches. That's the main aim for me. As I just said, our aim is to get into 
the semifinal, that can be a dream or can be an aim - doesn't matter."

The coach under whose guidance Bangladesh reached quarterfinal in 2015 World 
Cup, which as of now remained their best achievement, made it clear they 
would set their combination according to the condition. 

"It depends on the surface to be honest and the way the game is going to 
expand. We will use tactically our bowling resources. Sometimes we might come 
with a plan against the opposition and the conditions that we see before the 
game. Then after that, it's up to the captains to use his bowling resources," 
he added.

Bangladesh tactically used Mehidy Hasan Miraz as opener in some matches and 
also his spot upper in the order gave the side a flexibility but the way 
Tanzid Hasan Tamim staked a claim in opening spot, it gave Hathurusingha a 
sweet problem. 

The youngster batted beautifully in the two practice matches to prove that he 
has the credential to thrive in big tournament like World Cup/

"We have a few options. So, we will be in a better place to make that 
decision tomorrow morning. You will see tomorrow who will work out if we bat 
first and if you bat second then who will go out together."

The head coach however predicted the Dharamshala pitch would provide a high 
scoring game and so combination will be made, keeping that in mind.

"The wickets look really good for one day cricket - I thought very firm 
wicket, nice covering of grass. I think it's really good sporting wicket. 
Expecting some high scoring on this ground. The combination we will decide 
tomorrow morning and see the wicket again because the curator said that he 
will do a little bit of work today as well on that wicket."